PPM Gospel Fest raises the roof at the Lions Centre

By Christopher Tobutt

International gospel star, Carlene Davies was the headline singer at PPM’s Cayman Gospel Fest at the Lions Center on Saturday 19 November. It was all about bringing Christians together in unity to praise and worship together, and celebrate Cayman’s Christian heritage. It was also part of the PPM’s ongoing series of public events to celebrate the party’s 20th anniversary.

There was the Agape Praise and Worship Group that really got people in the spirit, standing up with arms raised and clapping. But then there were some real old time gospel favorites form the Red Bay gospel band, before things switched into high gear with the New Testament Choir, and the United Pentecostal Choir. The Williams Quintet were there too, a brother and sister family group, who sing uplifting songs of comfort and joy and deliverance in beautiful harmony. Everyone was on their feet and clapping and shouting with the Ebenezer SDA Gospel Choir, and the SDA Countdown Choir. It was lovely to see all the different denominations coming together in unity to worship the Lord, and everyone in the audience was raising the roof so that Heaven could hear.

MP .Joey Hew said, “We thought it was important especially during these times, to bring our people together in a positive Christian atmosphere, as we get near to Christmas and all that’s going on …around the world. Its been an amazing evening so far, the energy is ecstatic, we’re dancing we’re clapping we’re praying and we’re singing.”

Pastor Sian O’ Connor was onstage, talking about what we can do if we unite. “If our leaders can come together, this country is unstoppable,” he said.

Leader of the Opposition, Hon Roy McTaggart, said, “This is important because it helps us to focus on what the grass roots of the Progressives really are and our foundation, which is, ‘Love of country,’” he said, “It is that love of country that has kept us together, Serving and giving back to our islands is important to us, and tonight’s concert allows us to do just that, and say, “Thank You.”

Carlene Davies has spent more than four decades in the music industry as a singer and songwriter. She has made 20 albums and a long line of gospel hits including, ‘It must be Love,’ ‘Going Down to Paradise with You,’ and  ‘Santa Claus, do you ever come to the ghetto?’ In her efforts to fight the apartheid regime of South Africa, she did ‘Welcome Home Mr. Mandela. She became a gospel singer in 1996 after being diagnosed with cancer. She did hits such as, ‘My Forever Friend,’ ‘One Day at a Time,’ and, ‘This Island Needs Jesus.’”  Her latest single is called, ‘Jah shall wipe away all tears,’ and she is recognized as a national treasure by the government and the people of Jamaica.